Automatic fluid-coupling.



No. 833,702. I PATENTED OCT. 16, 19%.

v 0; H-. TOMLINSON.

AUTOMATIC FLUID COUPLING.

APPLICATIOII FILED SEPT. 22. 1905.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

' i l My wvewfoz A l6 I gr) (1 z flnn i/zf m/q No. 833,702. PATENTED OCT, 15, 1906 0. H. TOBAILIBZSG'BTw AUTOMATIG FLUID GOEPLING.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 22. 1005.

s SEEETS-HHEBT 2.

rinrrnn sra'rne ra rnirr orrrcn CHARLES H. TOMLINSON, OF DENVER, COLORADO, ASSlGNOE TO THE TOMLINSON COUPLER COMPANY, OF DENVER, COLORADO.

AUTOMATIC FLUEDHGQUPLHNG.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES H. TOMLIN- SON, a citizen of the United. States, residing in the city and county of Denver and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Fluid- Couplers; and I do declare the following to 'be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the ac'- companying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in automatic fluid-couplers adapted for use with radiating draw-bars or bars whose rear extremities are pivotally connected with their respective cars, these draw-barsv beingof the character used in street-carservice, whereby it becomes practicable to make short turns, as at street-corners.

- My improved fluid-coupler is adapted for use with draw-bars having neither lateral or vertical movement when coupled. Drawbars of this construction are shown in my previous applications filed December 9, 190a,

and February 10, 1905, having Serial Nos.

236,091 and 245,043, respectivelyf draw-bars have notched abutting heads, whereby when coupled independent lateral movement becomes impossible and the two draw-bars are always in direct alinement as well while making turns, however short, as on a straight track. Neither do the drawbars have independent vertical movement, since the draw-bars are hollow and provided f with cooperating coupling devices, which protrude from the draw-heads in front, whereby each coupling device when the draw bars are in the coupled relation enters the forward extremity of the opposite draw-head, thus preventing independent vertical movement.

By the term fluid-coupler I mean a coupler adapted for use with either air, steam, or other fluid. As shown in the drawings, two fluid-couplers are shown one located above and the other below the draw-heads. One of these is calculated for use with what is known as straight air and the other with what is known as automatic air.

Attention called to the fact that in street- Specification of LettersPatent.

Application filed September 22, 1905. Serial No. 279,623-

Patented Oct. is, 1906. 4

car service where the cars are coupled in trains of two or more air-brakes are quite generally employed at the present time.

What is known as straight air is more I generally used, but automatic air may of course be employed.

Having briefly outlinedmy improved construction as well as the function it is intended to perform, I will proceed to describe the same in detail, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which is illus trated an embodiment thereof.

In the drawings, Figure 1 'is a side elevation of two coupled draw-heads equipped with my improvements, a fragmentary view of two cars being shown, upon which the draw-bars are mounted. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the two draw heads equipped as aforesaid, the pivotpin upon which one of the draw-heads swings being shown in section. Fig. 3 is a sectional view in detail of one of the fluid-coupling members, the same being shown in the open position or in the position to allow straight air to pass between the cars when coupled. Fig. 4 is a similar view, but with the valve closed, showing its osition when the cars are uncoupled, wherey the air is automatically prevented from escaping. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view of the two fluidcoupling members shown in in position just before reaching the abutting position. Fig. 6 is a similar view showing the members .in abutting relation and with both valves open to allow the air to circulate Fig. '7 is a modified form same function as the construction shown in Figs. 3 to 6, inclusive. Fig. 8 is a coupling member adapted for use with automatic air or constructed to allow the air to escape when the ears are uncoupled for brake-setting purposes. Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view of two draw-heads, illustrating their coupling devices in contact and showing the manner in which the radial draw-bars are shifted'laterally during this stage of the coupling operation.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all the views.

1 will first describe one of the fluid-coup ling members adapted for-use with straight air, the form being that shown inFigs'a- 8 to 6,

inclusive. Let the numeral 5 designate a cyl inder having a front head 6 integr'al with the body of the cylinder and a rear head 7 secu'red thereinto. This cylinder is hollow and provided with a piston-valve 8 slidably mounted in the cylinder and rovided with orifices 9 to allow t e air to circu ate between the two com-- partme ts of the cylindrical chamber when drawings, is threaded into the valve 8 and the Attentior'ris called to the factthat stem 12. the parts 8, T2, and 13 may all beformed in one piece or integral, as shown in Fig. 7.; The

hollow stem 13 passes through a stuffing-box 14., inserted in the front head of the cylinder. To the forward extremity of the stem-13 is attached a coupling-head 15, composed of a rear metal member 16 an,d a forward cushion member 17, the two members being suitably of the stem :13.

interlocked, as-shown at 18. The members of the coupling-head 15 are provided with an opening 19, registering with the opening 20 The rear extremity of this hollow stem is 'provided with orifices 21, whereby communication is established with the cylinder-chamber when the piston-valve is moved to the position shown in Fig. 3. The forwardextremity of the PiStOI1Ch8.m-

her is provided with a packing-washer 22- in order to form a tight joint when the valve is closed or in the position shown in Fig. 4. The rear cylinder-head 7 is provided with a central opening 23, the said head being connected with the air train-pipe 24 by means of 'asuitable coupling 25. The cylinder 5 is provided with a depending exte'rio'rly-threaded part 26, adapted to screw into athreaded recess formed in the top of one of the drawheads 27, whereby the fluid coupling member is rigidl connected with a draw-head member. T e fluid coupling members are so mounted on the draw-heads that when the latter are interlocked or coupled the pressure of the fluid coupling-heads will be sufiiciently forceful to pause the piston valves 8 on the two cotipling members to be forced rearwardly against the tension of their springs 10, where- .by the valves are opened, allowingthe' air to circul reely between thecars, as shown in Fig. 6. The position of thepiston-valves immediat ly before the cars are coupled or after they are uncoupled is illustrated in Fig 5.

- he construction shown in Fig. -7 is substantially the same as that just described, except that the parts designated 8, 12, and-13 form an integral device. For this'reason these corresponding parts will be'designated 8, 12*, and 13, respectively. The orifices in the valveme'mber 8 really form grooves 8 the valveinay be designated 8, the rearwardly protruding stem 12, and the forwardly-protruding stem 13 In this form of construction the two stem parts 12 and 13 are hollow, and the valve 8" is provided with a centratpassage forming a continuous opening, .whereby the air is allowed to circulate freely when the members are coupled and to escape autor'natically when they are un- COlpled. fer brake-setting purposes'where what. is known as automatic .air is em- --ployed.

dta'elriz-ylinder is provided with a depend-- ing chp 5 at its rear extremity, the same being provided with an opening 5 for the in troduction of a bdlt 5 or othrn'suitable fastening device to aid in seeuringth c linder 'to the draw-bar.

The relative p051 of the fluid coupling members ounted on the 9.5. draw-bars is illustrated in Figs. band 2. As-

heretofore stated, the forward or abutting extremities of these draw-.heads are notched or provided with interlocking recesses, as shown at 28 in Fig. 2. d

It has been found advisable to mount the fluid coupling members on their ..respective draw-bars, so that they-shall occupy ositions diagonal to the line of the drawmi? It has been found that these fluid cou ling members cooperate with each other an perform their function to mueh better advantage when mounted in this manner. In this construction of draw-head by virtue of the action of the spring-retained devices D with: in the draw-heads the two draw-Heads are I usually thrust laterally in opposite directions 'roo immediately preceding the coupling act."

(See Fig. 9.) However, as they eo me together they assume the position shown in Fig: 2, whereby they are in correct alinement. By virtue of the fact that they are usually slightly out of alinement immediately preceding the completion of the coupling act if the fluid coupling members were arranged so that their axes coincided with the longitudinal direction of the draw-bar's the coupling-heads of the fluid members would first come incontact slightly out 01' alinement, whereby the o ening 1 through these heads would be "left partl'y open. When, however,-, the draw-heads assume their proper position in alinement with each other, the fluid coupling-heads would not readily shift by virtue of the engagement. of

der the circumstances heret'ofore' explained.

Attention is called to the fact that the radiating draw-bars are pivotallyconnected at their rear extremities with a depending stud 29; connected witha bar 30, rigidly attached to the platform 31 of the car.

In Fig. 9 the dotted line C indicates the directio'nfof the axes of the fluid coupling-heads,

' which tlranot shown in this view.

Having thus described my'invention what I claim is 1. Inan automatic fluid-coupler for use with cars having radiating draw-bars, the

combination with the radiating draw-bar and the traiii-pipe through which the fluid passes,

of a spring-actuated coupling-head,a cylindei" molmted on the draw-head and movable therewith; ahd a valve located in the cylinder and connected in operative relation.

, with the coupling-head and arranged to control the passageof fluid from the train-pipe througlf the head, the valve being closed when-the draw-head is uncoupled but kept open by the pressure of the coupling-heads when'thh cars are in the coupled position, the

coupling-headhaving a passage communicating with the train-pipe when the valve is I open.

'2. a fluid-coupler for cars, the combination with the draw-head of the car and the i fluid train-pipe, of a spring-held couplinghead having'a passage communicating with the train-pipe, a cylinder mounted on the draw-head and a valve located in the cylinder for controlling said passage, the said .valve being connepted in operative relation with the coupling-head, the valve being closed when the cars are uncoupled, but open when the cars are in the coupled relation by virtue of the pressure of the fluid couplinghead upon its. cooperating or companion head connected with the opposite car.

3. In a fluid-coupler for cars, the combination with the radiating draw-head of the car' and fluid train pipe, of a spring-actuated fluid coupling-head whose outer extremity is composed of elastic material, the couplinghead having an opening communicating with thetrain pipe and registering with the correspondingiopening of the companion fluid 7 coupling-head of the opposite car when the cars are in the coupled relation, a cylinder mounted on the draw-head and pistonvalve located in the cylinderand connected inoperative relation with the fluid coupln1g head;

i. lnfluid-cougiler for cars, the, combinetion with a cylinder mounted on the car, a

piston-valve located in the cylinder, a spring also located in the cylinder and normally acting on the valve to close the latter, and a cushion coupling-head connected with the pistonvalve and protruding beyond the cylinder, the coupling-head having an opening therethrough for the purpose set forth.

5. In afluid-coupler for cars, the combine tion with the fluid train-pipe, of a cylinder communicating with said train-pipe, a piscommunicating with the train-pipe and mounted on the draw-head, a piston mo-vable in said receptacle, a spring located in the receptacle and acting on the piston having a tendencyto hold the latter at its forward limit of movement, and a cushion chuplin head connected with the piston and extenr ing beyond or forward of the receptacle for the purpose set forth.

7. In a fluid-coupler for cars, the combination with the draw-bar and fluid train-pipe, of a cylinder rigidly mounted on the drawbar and communicating with the train-pipe, a pistonrvalve located in the cylinder, the said valve having a rearwardlyprotruding stem, a coil-spring located in 'the' cylinder surrounding the said stem and acting on the 1 piston to normally hold the latter in the forward position, and a cushion coupling head connected with the piston and located for- .of the fluid from the train-pipeswhen the cars are coupled, the saidv eads having cushion-engaging extremities, of a receptacle connected with each draw-head and mounted thereon, and a piston-valve connected in operative relation with each of the cushionheads for the purpose set forth.

. 9. In. a fluid-coupler for cars, the combination with the fluid train-pipes and radiatin draw-heads of the cars, ot'yieldingly-retaine fluid cou ling-heads mounted on the cars and "arrange" to engage each other when the cars are coupled, the said heads having registering passages communicatingwith the tramipes,

IIC

fluid-receptacles -mounted on the draw eads and valveslocated the fiuid receptacles ings adapted to register when the ears are, coupled, the said openings permitting the passage of the fluid from the train-pipes, the fluid coupling-heads being so positioned on the draw-bars that their axes forin oblique angles with the direetion of the draw-bars for the purpose set forth.

11. The combination with a radiating draw-bar having a springmetiuited eouplinghook protruding from the draw-liar in front, of a'cushion fluid coupling-head mounted on the draw-bar and occupying a position diagonal to the length of the draw-bar, the said eea zoza fluid coupling-head having an opening for the passage of fluid, substantia 1y as desoribed. v

12. In a fluid-coupler, the combination with draw-bars and fluid trainpipe's, of fluid eoupling-headshaving openings adapted to register "when the ears are coupled, the said openings permitting the passage of the lluid from the train-pipes, the fluid couplingheads being so positioned on-the draw-l ars that their axes form oblique angles with the directionof the d raw-bars.

In testimony whereof Iaffix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES H TO MLINSON.

W'itnesses DENA NELsoN, CLARE .KENYQN. 

